Nearly Lear

Susanna Hamnett

What if the great and tragic story of King Lear were to be told by the King's closet companion - his own fool? This is Nearly Lear. Seen through the eyes of the Lear's devoted clown, Norris (who, in good Shakespearean tradition, is actually Noreen disguised as a boy), the story is not only poignant and tragic, but also mischievous, tender and achingly funny.

An emotional roller-coster rider that will entrance both lovers of Shakespeare as well as newcomers to the Bard. Nearly Lear confounds expectations of what a Shakespeare play 'should' be and uses exuberant storytelling, music and film, as well as Shakespeare's magnificent text to take its audience firmly into the heart of this great story.

"A frisky, funny, tantalising introduction to the lifelong pleasures of Shakespeare" The New York Times

"More wit, mischief and sheer playfulness than you can legally pack into 80 minutes of live theatre!" - Aberdeen Press and Journal

Artist Bio

Susanna Hamnett is an actor and clown who has worked across England, Europe and Canada. Her passion for Shakespeare and Clown, together with her skill as a performer, make Nearly Lear relevant and inspiring for audiences of all ages.